A Positive Step of Monroe County Southernmost Fatherhood Initiative program set to begin 2020 session adapted for COVID-19

William ‘Trey’ Ashing III, a single father pictured here in a ‘selfie shot’ with daughter Madilyn Nicole, credits the APSMC Southernmost Fatherhood Initiative program with providing the tools needed to put his life on a new path. The program is presently launching its 2020 session and invites area fathers to register now. (Provided photo)

Billy Davis, founder and executive director of A Positive Step of Monroe County, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving Monroe County’s highest risk children and their families since 1999, has announced that the organization’s Southernmost Fatherhood Initiative program is now launching its 2020 session and invites area fathers to register now.

“COVID-19 has created a whole new set of challenges for our community and for our programs serving the community,” said Davis. “Our Southernmost Fatherhood Initiative works with dads, including incarcerated ones, to develop new and better skills in parent, co-parent and child relationships, along with anger management, health, and substance abuse awareness. This year, because of COVID-19, all sessions will be conducted via Zoom meetings and conference calls.”

Now in its third year, the evidence based program—meaning that it has been tested and validated through educational and social service organizations— will consist of 12 weekly hour-long counseling sessions, and also includes additional supportive services, including access to 30 hours of OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) training and certification, CDL (Commercial Drivers License) training offered though Waste Management, and a GED (Graduate Equivalency Degree) program offered through the Monroe County School District.

“We also provide pre and post program testing, so that dads can evaluate their progress from start to finish,” Davis said.

“A Positive Step Monroe County is committed to breaking the cycle of absentee dads, and this is partly accomplished through teaching better skills to men who might not have had a role model—or a good role model—on which to base their own parenting,” he said. The program welcomes court ordered participants as well as self and community partner referrals. All participants receive weekly grocery store gift cards and a certificate of completion at the end of the 12-week session.

Davis said he is grateful to the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida,The Keys Open Door Foundation, the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, the United Way of the Florida Keys, Key West Sunrise Rotary, and the programs generous private donors.

For enrollment, contact Billy Davis at 305-304-1969 or [email protected]. For more information on A Positive Step of Monroe County visit APSMC.org.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]